Summary
WHG has updated its Legislative and Regulatory Outlook for 2020, based largely on changes reflected in the administration’s recently released Spring 2020 Unified Agenda. With this product, we aim to provide a comprehensive line-up of key federal health care policy developments we expect to see throughout the course of the coming year and their approximate timing.
Of note, many anticipated developments expected earlier this year did not ultimately transpire, likely in large part due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of these developments continue to appear in the Spring 2020 agenda, though now with dates reflecting target releases for later this year. Of note, the administration continues to include its forthcoming proposed rule on an International Pricing Index (IPI) model¸ with an expected date potentially suggesting a Q3 release. Additional items to watch include:
- Forthcoming final rules that would modify safe harbors under the Anti-Kickback Statute and physician self-referral regulations (August 2020);
- A final rule that would require health insurers to provide health care cost information to patients prior to receiving care (September 2020);
- A final rule establishing a drug importation program (December 2020); and,
- A final rule on Medicaid Fiscal Accountability (September 2020).
Additional measures with potential action in 2020 reflect the administration’s attitudes towards a broader set of issues aligned with health, but that are not health care-specific. For example, the administration has several planned changes to nutrition programs for low-income adults and children, and also intends to propose regulations that would allow for deportation on the basis of a public charge designation.
On the legislative front, we also provide dates for each congressional recess and the end of the Fiscal Year. In addition, you will find dates for the expiration of the “health extenders,” when DSH payment reductions are set to go into effect, and when the Health Coverage Tax Credit is set to expire.